Two men allegedly committed sex crimes against a pair of teenage sisters after bringing the girls into their home in Slidell, authorities said Wednesday.

One of the men, 19-year-old Arturo Govea, could face the death penalty in the case because his alleged victim is only 12 years old.

Arturo Govea

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office began looking into the case after the 12-year-old, her 14-year-old sister and their older juvenile sister failed to return to their eastern St. Tammany Parish home on Oct. 10, Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. George Bonnett said. Investigators determined that one of the girl's friends had taken them to 827 Asheville St. in Slidell, Bonnett said.

All three girls, and several older men, were found at that residence on Oct. 13, Bonnett said. Investigators have found no indication the girls were forced to stay at the home against their will, he said.

Elias Hernandez

During the ensuing investigation, which was aided by a member of the Slidell Police Department, Govea admitted raping the 12-year-old during the weekend the girls were missing, Bonnett said. It was also determined another resident of the home, Elias Hernandez, 24, had committed a crime against the 14-year-old, Bonnett said.

Investigators do not believe the girls' older sister was the victim of a crime, Bonnett said. However, they are working to determine whether any other crimes were committed or if other men in the home should be arrested, he said.

"We're not done with this case yet," Bonnett said. "Investigators continue to conduct interviews and collect information in the case to determine whether to book the other residents.